by Amy Davies
I look at Dani, who is trying to read my phone so I quickly lock it and place it back in my back pocket. She is running her bright pink fingernail across the top of her dress. I cock an eye at her and she smiles.
"Well, school is going good. I broke up with my boyfriend because he told me I was too high maintenance for him. Can you believe it, Rafe? Me really? You would know how to handle me, wouldn't you, baby?"
I'm distracted by my phone beeping, I pull out my phone checking and praying at the same time the text is from Lucy.
Snowflake: Again #PervAlert
"Who is Snowflake?" I pull my phone close to my chest then lock it again.
"My girl, she..." I don't finish the sentence as I hear my name being called by the most harmonic voice that I love so much. I look at Dani and turn to see Lucy as she gets closer. I feel Dani place her hand on my arm; I see that Lucy sees the action just as I'm removing Dani's hand. "Get off Dan. Please don't touch me."
I pull away. I turn towards Lucy, who is thankfully not looking pissed at me but glaring at Dani. I close the gap towards Lucy, praying she plays along. "Hey baby," I say hugging her, then kissing her quickly. She smiles at me.
"Hey, baby. You just going to class?” I nod. “I'm meeting Maisey for some lunch." She kisses my neck and I can't help but shiver. She turns to face Danielle. "Oh hi, Dani, sorry didn't see you there," Snowflake says, while going up on her tip toes to kiss my neck again. This time I wrap my arms around her and pull her even closer. I nuzzle her hair, shit she smells good.
"Ummm hello? I'm still standing here." We both turn to look at Dani. "Since when have you two been a couple? I only talked to you like a few weeks ago and you were more than happy with my company." She smirks at Lucy as I feel her body tense next to me.
Lucy steps out from my embrace towards Dani. “Do you know what, Danielle? You may have had Dallas and to be perfectly honest with you doll, you did me a favor. But where Rafe is concerned, you will never have him again, do you hear me? Never. Now stay the fuck away from both of us.” She tries to drag me away but I need to clear something up before we go anywhere.
“Hang on, Snowflake.” I stand my ground and pull Lucy back into my body. “First off, Dani, I talked to you at Max Point and that’s it. The boys were there so fuck if anything happened.” I glance down at Lucy “Okay?” She nods.
“And secondly, Snowflake, I have never had Dani and I never will, baby. Only you, babe.” Lucy looks shocked by my response. With that we walk away from Dani and head towards the big brown double doors leading in the campus building. We make our way to the student lounge and see Maisey sitting on Gunner's lap at one of the tables with some of his baseball team mates.
“Hey guys,” I say. As we get closer, I see a few of the guy checking my Snowflake out. Oh hell no, she is mine and I’m not sharing. Lucy leans over to say something to Maisey and I see Eli check out her ass. I wrap my hand around Lucy’s wrist and pull her into my lap. She lands with a yelp and everyone laughs.
“I saved you a seat, baby,” I say, while I nuzzle her neck.
“What the hell, Rafe? Keep your hands off my girl.” Gunner punches my arm from the seat next to me. I wink at him and correct him.
“My girl now, Gunnerson.” I place my hand on the back of Lucy’s head as she buries her head in my neck.
“Since when? Why wasn’t I informed if this union? She is my BFF I should have been told about this.” This came from Maisey, who looks a little pissed, if I do say so myself.
Snowflake lifts her head and looks at me with her amazing smile. “I take it our Friday talk is happening sooner rather than later?” She smirks at me.
“Yeah, Snowflake,” I lower my voice so that only she can hear me, “I need you. Not just as friends. You okay with that? I know we said that we would be just friends but I don’t think I can, Luce, I’m sorry.” She just sits on my lap and stares at me. God, she is killing me with her silence “You okay, babe? Shit, Snowflake say something?” A small smile creeps across her face.
“It’s only been a short time, Rafe. I’m scared to try and date again. I don’t want to be hurt but you or anyone. Dallas hurt me enough to last me a lifetime.” She looks down at her hands sitting in her lap. I place my hand on hers and gently squeeze. I get what she is saying but I need her to know that I would never hurt her, not on purpose anyway. I move Lucy off my lap and stand up, while picking my bag up off the floor and slinging it over my shoulder. I catch a look at look on Lucy’s face and she looks scared. She looks at Maisey and Gunner, who then look at me. Gun looks pissed, just like his girlfriend.
I lace my fingers with Snowflake's. “Baby, let’s go for a walk, yeah?” I turn to Gunner. “Tell Professor Daniels that I won’t make class today. Tell him I’m ill or whatever you want.” I really don’t care.
I pull Snowflake back out to the parking lot. I open the passenger door of my car for her to climb in and then I jog around to my side. We sit in silence for a few minutes. I turn my body to face Snowflake and use my two fingers to lift her chin to face me, I need her to look me in the eye to see how much I mean what I’m about to say.
“Lucy, Snowflake. I know what Dallas did to you, I was there. I know that you hurt so bad that you fled and went God knows where...” She interrupts me.
“I went travelling and ended up in South Wales, UK.” A ghost of a smile appears on her beautiful face.
“OK South Wales, is it as cold as they say?” She nods and smiles. Just by that smile I can see how much she loved being there. “I bet it’s beautiful there just like you, baby. Look at me, Snowflake. I know he hurt you but you also know me and you know my ways. I can understand why you are scared to take a chance with a Phoenix boy. I haven’t been with anyone in months. I have told you that I only see you, baby. Isn’t it worth the risk to see what happens? These are the moments, these are the times, let’s make the best of our lives, Snowflake.” I have a huge smile on my face as Lucy whips her head up to face me with her amazing smile on her face again. I can’t help but laugh at her expression.
“Oh My God, Rafe. Did you just quote ‘The Calling,’ you nerd? I love that band.” I smile at her and nod.
“I know, babe. I think I have their album on here somewhere.” I dig into my back pocket for my iPhone and start flicking through my albums on the iPod app. I find the album and hit play. We sit listening to a few songs when ‘Wherever You Will Go’ comes on and Lucy starts to sing.
Fuck. Me. My Snowflake can sing.
I sit there listening to her sing and I’m completely blown away. How did I not know that she could sing like this? Once the song finishes I turn the volume down so we can talk.
“Snowflake... Baby, look at me.” I wait for her to turn and face me once again.
“Why do you call me Snowflake, Rafe? It’s a weird nickname.”
I smile and I feel my cheeks heat up a little. “Like I said that night with Gunner and Maisey. You are unique, Luce. A solid black snowflake means a solid soul. There is only one of you, baby, no-one can compare.” Wow, I’m turning into a freaking girl.
“Are you blushing, Rafe Phoenix? Oh wow, you are. Awww bless. I didn’t think the Phoenix boys had it in them to blush.” She is laughing at me! Okay baby, game on. I pounce across the center console and start tickling Lucy. She is laughing hysterically while thrashing around; she reaches for my car door. The door swings open and she makes a run for it across the grassed lawn. Lucky for me that my Snowflake was wearing flip flops. She stumbles, but I catch her by the waist and she screeches. We both tumble onto the grass but I manage to swing us so that I hit the ground and not her. We lay there breathing heavy for a few minutes. I turn my head and see people watching us, some are smiling but I see a few girls scowling at us also.
“You okay, babe?” Lucy lets out a big breath and shifts so that she is straddling my hips, she settles herself. I’m sure she can feel my hard on but she doesn’t show it. She removes her flip flops and sets them next to my knees. Her hair hangs li
ke a perfect blonde waterfall around her shoulders and face. I reach up and brush her hair off her shoulders. A strand falls forward so I tuck it behind her ear; she has such small ears. Very sweet. I rub her earlobe between my thumb and forefinger; she has little peace sign studs in today. She finally looks at me, while trying to slow her breathing down.
She smiles at me “I’m good, Rafe. You okay? I landed on you.” I can’t help myself as I lift my hips, which causes Lucy to fall forward. She braces herself by placing hands on the ground next to my head. I reach up again and tuck her hair behind her ear, fuck she is truly beautiful. She has sparkling blue eyes. I lift slighting until my lips touch her lips, which are soft, and the instant taste of cookies and cream hits my tongue as I run it across her glossy lips. I rest my hands her hips and squeeze slightly as Lucy deepens the kiss and tightens her thighs at my hips. Doesn’t she realize what she is doing to me? Everything fades out, people talking, cars in the parking lot. It’s just me and my Snowflake. Lucy breaks the kiss first.
“Rafe, I think we should stop, we are in the middle of campus and we are giving everyone a free show.” She smiles at me and blushes. See, so damn sweet. Just at the moment we hear them. Cat calls, whistles. Just fucking great.
“Well what do we have here then, bro? Free peep show. I thought you were holding out for Lucy Cooper?” I smile at Lucy while resting up on my elbows. I turn to see Reeve, Ryder and Skeet, who is Reeve’s best friend, all standing there with huge grins on their faces. Lucy is still smiling at me.
I wink at her, “I told you this for real for me. I’m worth the risk.” I kiss her once more and she pulls back and sits directly over my raging hard on. Thank God the boys don’t see, but I know Lucy feels it because she sinks her groin down into mine just to let me know. I would never live it down if the boys saw this. Lucy tucks her hair behind her ears and turns to the boys, who are still smirking.
“Hey, Reeve. Hey, Ryder and hi to the guy I don’t know.” She laughs to herself. “Wow, I have managed to silence all three Phoenix boys today?” Snowflakes stands over me and puts her flip flips back on. I’m kind of glad they she is wearing jeans and not a skirt after the position we were just in. She holds a hand out for me. I take it and climb to my feet. I pull her in front of me and wrap my arms around her waist, placing my hands on her perfectly flat stomach. I can feel the warmth spreading throughout my body. I have only ever had this feeling when around Lucy.
“Boys, meet my girlfriend, Lucy Cooper. Be nice because you know she can kick your ass.” I wink at them. Lucy turns in my arms and I rest my hands on her soft, perfect ass. She stretches up to kiss me. She licks my bottom lip and her tongue meets with mine. She pulls back and speaks in my ear.
“Nice to know I agreed to be your girlfriend, Phoenix,” she raises an eyebrow at me. Shit, should I have asked her first? Will she even agree now?
“Lucy ‘Snowflake’ Cooper, will you please be my girlfriend after years of wanting you, with my brothers and that fucknut as my witnesses,” I wink at her again.
She finally answers, after looking at my brothers and they nod their heads in agreement.
“Well, since you asked so nicely, Mr Phoenix. I could think of worse things to be.” She winks at me but not yet actually giving me an answer. “Yes, Rafe I will be your girlfriend, it was getting harder to be around you and not being able to touch whenever I wanted. Happy now, baby?” She kisses me.
Thank fuck.
Chapter 9
Lucy
After my afternoon with Rafe and us becoming an official couple, I head home to have some family time with my parents and sister. I text Maisey to let her know that Rafe took me to lunch with Ryder, Reeve and Skeet. Who by the way is pretty cool. He is shorter than the Phoenix boys but with the same sized character. He has jet black hair that sticks up in all directions. His left arm is covered in a tattooed sleeve that he told me continues onto his chest. He fits in well with the boys. The boys told me that I need to meet Beck, Ryder’s best friend. He will be travelling with us to Club V this weekend. Thankfully, my manager Ginger has let me have a long weekend, which means I’m not due back in work until Tuesday afternoon.
I pull into my parent’s driveway and park my car, turning off the music. I climb out and walk toward the side gate, where I can smell my dad’s BBQ. Yummo. Opening the gate and rounding the side of the house I see my dad at the BBQ grill and my little sister Tru floating in the swimming pool on a pink inflatable chair with her ear buds in. I wonder who she is listening to today. I skip over to my dad and kiss his cheek.
“Hey, Daddy. That smells sooooo good. Where’s Mom?” I ask while I try to sneak a juicy looks shrimp from the grill, but Dad swats my hand away.
“Not ready yet, baby girl. Your mom is in the kitchen finishing up the salad and the dips.” He flips over a few chicken breasts which look freaking amazing. “So, how’s work? How are my other girls doing in school?” I smile at my amazing dad Sam Cooper, who looks a lot like Kyle Chandler from ‘Friday Night Lights.’ Tall, dark and still handsome. I know which girls my dad is talking about.
“They are fine, Dad. They are handling school just fine. Kenzie has a new boyfriend but don’t tell her I told you, okay? She wants to tell you herself.” Kenzie’s dad left shortly after her mom died. Her Grandmother took her in but she always looked up to my dad as a father figure. “Trin just started a new job at a record store. Maisey and Gunner are awesome as usual.” I shrug my shoulders. My dad narrows his eyes at me with a ghost of a smile on his face.
“What are you not telling me, baby girl?” Damn it, he always knows when I’m lying or keeping something from him. It’s his racer instinct he keeps telling me. You have to know everything about every person you trust with your life, when they work on your car.
“I’m not keeping anything from you, Daddy. Nothing, nada. I’m gonna go and see if Mom wants help with anything.” I make my get away from the all-knowing-Sam-Cooper. As I enter the large kitchen I see my mom slicing up tomatoes at the marble covered worktop. Today she is dressed in a very pretty but simple baby blue summer dress with spaghetti straps and wedge sandals. Both Tru and I follow Mom with our hair color, all of us are blonde. Poor Dad didn’t get a look in with us, as my Grandma Ruby always says. I reach my mom and wrap my arms around her waist. “Hey mama, do you need any help with anything?” My mom turns and hugs me back and kisses my head.
“Hey honey. You could take the plates and cutlery outside to the table for me. Thank you, sweetie.” I go over to the cupboards and start pulling plates out and then over to the drawer to collect the cutlery. “So, what’s new with you, honey? Work okay? A new boy on the scene maybe?” She winks at me and I blush right on queue as my dad walks into the kitchen. I look between my parents and try to look for an easy exit so that I don’t have to answer her question. But no such luck as my dad catches the end of her question.
“Did I just hear half a conversation about boys? You dating someone, baby girl?” Dang it. Do I tell them about Rafe? They know that I haven’t dated since Dallas but I’m not sure how they will react to me being with Rafe. I don’t keep anything from them anymore not telling them about the pregnancy was bad enough. Oh well only one way to find.
“Ummm I am actually seeing someone well he’s my boyfriend as of this morning. It’s a new thing” I shrug again “I’m just gonna take these out to the garden and set the table and say hi to, Tru” I exit the kitchen rather quickly and head over to the patio when the patio set it. I place the dishes and cutlery out and make my over to the pool. Trying to signal Tru and but she has her eyes closed and her feet are tapping the water to whatever music she is listening to.
Tru is three years younger than me but we are often mistaken for twins, even though Tru is a few inches taller than me. I remove my flip flop and dip my right foot into the water and flick water at my sister.
She shrieks and pulls her ear buds out and turns to face me. “For fuck sake, Juicy you scared the shit out of me.” I stand the
re laughing while she paddles her way over to the side and I help her out of the pool. She starts wrapping the ear bud wire around her iPod.
“What are you listening to?” I nod my head towards her iPod. We have pretty much the same taste in music, well everything really.
“Um, it’s a new local band the girls at school are going crazy over. We are going to see them down at Max Point, which is a club close to you. Do you know it?” She asks, while getting into a summer dress. I frown at the thought of my baby sister going to a club. Okay, Max Point is pretty tame but she is still too young.
“Yeah, I know it. I have been a few times with the girls and Gunner. So this new band, they don’t happen to be called Inside Noise, do they?” Before she can answer our parents join us outside on the patio and we sit while Dad collects everything from the grill.
Yummy glazed chicken breasts, BBQ ribs, shrimp and Dad cooked me corn, which I love and some grilled fish that Tru loves so much. We tuck into our food and have a casual family conversation while enjoying some Cooper family time. My dad wipes his mouth with a napkin and looks at me. “Okay, baby girl, back to the little mother-daughter chat in the kitchen earlier. What boyfriend? You never said you were dating anyone?” I look at my sister, who is smirking at me.
“It’s new, like really new. We went out a few times but being a couple was never discussed until this morning when he asked me to be his girlfriend. I haven’t seen him since I left to go travelling, but I have spend some time with him over the past few weeks. It’s not like he is a stranger, I know that you respect his family and him. So I’m hoping that you will be ok with me being with him. Just remember if it wasn’t for him, I might have bled to death the night I lost Shane.” I hear my mom gasp. I look towards to Tru and see her eyes are wide as saucers. I look at my dad while fighting to hold the tears back. I have no clue why I’m tearing up.
“Rafe Phoenix is your new boyfriend?” My dad asks. I nod and wipe the lone tear that has escaped. My dad reaches across the table and places his hand over mine. “Well, when do we get to see Rafe again? I have not seen that boy in a long time. Last I heard he was touring the coast with his brothers, promoting their band.” I look up at my father, surprised by his questions. I thought he was going to tell me to stay away, but Sam Cooper shocks me again. I smile at my dad and look over to my mom, who is also smiling at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Tru is looking confused, as usual. I laugh to myself.